NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Three children and three adults were killed when a shooter opened fire at a private school in Nashville, Tennessee. The suspected shooter was killed by police.
The shooting happened Monday morning at The Covenant School, a private Christian school in Nashville that teaches preschool through sixth grade. On a normal school day, the school has 209 students and 42 staff members.
Police have not released the shooter’s identity, but they believe she is a 28-year-old Nashville woman. They originally reported that the shooter was a girl who appeared to be in her teens.
Police believe the shooter entered the school through a side entrance and opened fire as she made her way to the second level of the school. The first call of an active shooter situation came in at 10:13 a.m. (CDT).
When officers arrived, they entered the first level of the school and began clearing it. They heard gunfire coming from the next level and they headed toward the gunfire. When officers got to the upper level of the school, they saw the shooter.
They “engaged” her and she was killed by responding officers. The suspected shooter was dead by 10:27 a.m. (CDT). Police said she was armed with at least two assault-type rifles and a handgun.
Three students and three adults were killed. Police are still working to identify the victims. One officer was injured from broken glass.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper said in a Tweet, “In a tragic morning, Nashville joined the dreaded, long list of communities to experience a school shooting. My heart goes out to the families of the victims. Our entire city stands with you. As facts continue to emerge, I thank our first responders and medical professionals.”
Metro Schools, a public school system in the area, said several schools were placed on lockdown out of an abundance of caution. “We are all horrified by the tragic shooting at The Covenant School today, and our hearts go out to the families of the loved ones and the entire Covenant community. MNPS has been in close contact with (Nashville police) throughout the morning,” Metro Schools said on Twitter.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said on Twitter that he is “closely monitoring the tragic situation at Covenant, & the @TNDeptofSafety & @TNHighwayPatrol are assisting local law enforcement & first responders at the scene. As we continue to respond, please join us in praying for the school, congregation & Nashville community.”
Police are expected to provide more information about the shooting again on Monday.
Parents can reunite with students at the Woodmont Baptist Church at 2100 Woodmont Boulevard.
The first press conference held by Nashville police and fire officials is available below:
We are responding to an active aggressor at 33 Burton Hills Blvd Covenant School.
— Nashville Fire Dept (@NashvilleFD) March 27, 2023
We can confirm we have multiple patients.
Parents coming to the school should go to 20 Burton Hills at this time. this is an active scene.
Special Agents from the Nashville Field Office are responding to assist the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department with an active shooter incident that has occurred at the Convenant School. For further details, follow @MNPDNashville pic.twitter.com/4Au5nyWcmP
— ATF Nashville (@ATFNashville) March 27, 2023
An active shooter event has taken place at Covenant School, Covenant Presbyterian Church, on Burton Hills Dr. The shooter was engaged by MNPD and is dead. Student reunification with parents is at Woodmont Baptist Church, 2100 Woodmont Blvd. pic.twitter.com/vO8p9cj3vx
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 27, 2023